Centenarian Bounty

The Centenarian Bounty is a national award made by the Irish president to people who have reached 100 years of age.

The Centenarian Bounty is usually awarded on behalf of the President by a local member of the clergy or friend of the centenarian. A letter of congratulations signed by the President accompanies the award. The centenarian can also request that the letter and the President's bounty be sent directly to themselves without a presentation ceremony.

The President has also marks the birthday of each person resident in Ireland over the age of 100 years. On their 101st and every birthday after that, the person receives a special commemorative coin in a presentation box, along with a congratulatory letter signed by the President. A new coin is designed for each year.

The Centenarian Bounty is paid to all Irish nationals and foreign nationals resident in Ireland on their 100th birthday. Irish citizens born in the island of Ireland who have reached 100 and are living outside the State are also eligible for the Bounty.

The Bounty is not paid if a person reaches their 100th birthday but dies before the application process completed. The Bounty cannot be paid to the estate of a deceased person.

You will receive €2,540 and a congratulatory letter signed by the President on your 100th birthday.

You will also get a commemorative coin and a congratulatory letter from the President on your 101st and every birthday after that.

People living in Ireland and getting an Irish social welfare payment

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) automatically forwards information about people who are about to reach 100 and who are getting DSP pensions to the office of the President. The office of the President then makes the award directly to the individual.

People living in Ireland but not getting an Irish social welfare payment

You should forward information about people (Irish nationals and foreign nationals) resident in Ireland who are not receiving a social welfare pension to the Pensions Section in the Department of Social Protection. The Department will arrange for a social welfare inspector to verify the information. This may involve a visit by the inspector. Once it has been verified that the person is eligible for the bounty, the award will be made to them.

People not living in Ireland

You should forward information about Irish citizens born in the island of Ireland and resident outside the State, using the application form for Centenarian Bounty (pdf) to the person's nearest Irish diplomatic mission or the Department of Foreign Affairs (see 'Where to apply' below). Once it has been verified that the person is eligible, the award will be made to them.

If you are living abroad contact your nearest diplomatic mission or the Irish Abroad Unit (Centenarian Bounty Scheme) in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.